What are the uses of metal profile?

Building materials

Metal profile sheet systems are used to build cost efficient and reliable envelopes of mostly commercial buildings. They have evolved from the single skin metal cladding often associated with agricultural buildings to multi-layer systems for industrial and leisure application. As with most construction components, the ability of the cladding to satisfy its functional requirements is dependent on its correct specification and installation. Also important is its interaction with other elements of the building envelope and structure. Metal profile sheets are metal structural members that due to the fact they can have different profiles, with different heights and different thickness, engineers and architects can use them for a variety of buildings, from a simple industrial building to a high demand design building. Trapezoidal profiles are large metal structural members, which, thanks to the profiling and thickness, retain their high load bearing capability. They have been developed from the corrugated profile. The profile programme offered by specific manufacturers covers a total of approximately 60 profile shapes with different heights. Cassettes are components that are mainly used as the inner shell in dual-shell wall constructions. They are mainly used in walls today, even though they were originally designed for use in roofs.

History

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Trapezoidal profiles and cassettes have been known in Europe for around 100 years. Today's characteristic profile shape came to Europe from the USA in the 50s and has gained relevance since about 1960. At present the proportion of load bearing, room sealing trapezoidal profiles used in the overall area of new and slightly sloping roofs amounts to 90%. Above all else the wide acceptance has resulted from the simple constructive training, fast assembly, and the low costs of the trapezoidal profile construction.

Specification of the metal profile

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Weathertightness

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The primary function of the cladding system is to provide a weathertight building envelope, suitable for the intended use of the building. Trapezoidal metal roof sheets with through fix fasteners are generally suitable for slopes of 4% or steeper. This limit is critical to the performance of the cladding. For shallower pitches, down to 1.5%, a fix system with no exposed through fasteners, special side laps and preferably no end laps should be used. For low pitch roof, ponding is a potential problem that must be considered at the design stage in order to avoid the deleterious effects of prolonged soaking and the increased loading, due to the weight of the water.[1]

Building appearance

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Building envelope made from metal sheet provide builders and architects with products, which meet all of the highest demand regarding construction characteristics and design. The steel from which profiled cladding sheets are made is available pre-coated in a wide range of colors and textures, allowing architects to choose a finish that best suits the location and function of the building. Profile shape is also a characteristic that can be adapted to the demand of the architects.[2]

Thermal performance

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Buildings are responsible of the 40% of European energy consumption, consequently, improving the thermal performance of the cladding and associated components is very important. The elemental U-value (thermal transmittance, W/m2K) of a cladding panel, depends on the conductivity and thickness of the insulation which is added, the profile shape and the presence of thermal bridges. So, metal profile sheets can achieve thermal performance regulations thanks of insulations and profile shape. It is very important to analyze and avoid all possible thermal bridges within the roof and wall cladding assembly, to minimize local heat/cold losses.[3]

Acoustics

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Roofs constructed with trapezoidal profiles have excellent sound suppression characteristics. Sound has been found to be reduced to by up to 53 dB. The measured sound reduction for wall constructions using cassettes has been assessed at an RW of 57 dB. The acoustic performance of a particular cladding system will depend on the insulation material, the weather sheet and liner sheet profiles and the method of assembly. To minimize reverberation architects may take advantage of the sound absorbing properties of the cladding insulation layer by replacing the standard liner sheet with a perforated liner.[4]

Durability

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In order to ensure that the building envelope remains fully functional throughout its design life, it is important that it receives regular maintenance, including inspection, removal of debris, cleaning and repair of damage. Inspection can include man-made or natural wear. Weather exposure, natural movement, installation error and manufacturing defects are examples.[5] The need of maintenance may be greatly reduced using specific coating depending on the weather conditions, this coating guarantee the expected design life of the cladding. The commonly used 302 stainless steel alone is resistant to acetic acid, acetone and boric acid, among others.[6][7]

Sustainability

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Metal profiles sheets have a high recycled scrap steel content and all steel is recyclable. Many steel components can be unbolted and even reused for future applications. The possibility of reusing building elements makes steel construction even more sustainable than the already significant contribution of today's simple material recycling. Steel can be repeatedly recycled because it does not lose any of its inherent physical properties as a result of the recycling process. Stainless steel fasteners have excellent corrosion resistance and durability, as well as being a sustainable material. Custom fasteners in this material make for the utmost of sustainability with high recyclability.[8][9]

Structural performance

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Metal cladding systems are required to carry externally applied loads, such as snow and wind loading without deflecting excessively or compromising the other performance requirements. The individual characteristic loads (actions) should be obtained from the appropriate part of EN 1991, taking into account the building geometry and location as applicable. These individual actions should then be combined using the appropriate safety factors from EN 1990 to obtain the load cases used in design.[10]

• Permanent actions:

For most application of metal cladding technology, the only permanent action which the roof cladding needs to be designed is its own self-weight. For wall cladding, it is not normally necessary to consider permanent actions, since the self-weight acts in the plan of the cladding.

• Variable actions:

In addition to its self-weight, the roof cladding must also be designed for the following variable actions as specified in the appropriate parts of EN 1991: -Access for cleaning and maintenance. -A uniformly distributed load due to snow over the complete roof area. The value of this load will depend on the building's location. -Asymmetric snow load and loading due to snow drifts. -Wind loading due to pressure and suction.

• Deflections:

Care must be taken on site to avoid excessive local deflection. Typical deflection limits imposed on the cladding are depend on the loading regime considered, the location of the structural component and whether a brittle material is present. Deflection limits may be specifies by National regulation.[11]

Main uses

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Metal profile sheets due to their versatility mechanical and design properties can be used as roof and roof cladding, as external walls and wall cladding and also as floors. They are used in industry and in residential sector, and the two sectors can be used in both new construction and rehabilitation. Some of the applications where metal profile sheets are used are:

• industrial buildings,
• commercial buildings,
• public buildings,
• sport buildings,
• educational buildings,
• offices and administration buildings,
• multi-story buildings
• power plants,
• residential house,
• high design demand buildings,
• etc.[12]

See also

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References

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What are the benefits of metal cladding?

1. Better durability
2. Fire-resistant
3. Eco-friendly
4. Low maintenance
5. Decorative
6. Improved insulation

Cladding refers to a type of material that is primarily installed on a building’s exterior. While the main purpose is to improve the structural properties of that building, cladding has also found its way to contemporary architectural design, as a means of giving a building a beautiful exterior finish, as what can be found in metal cladding. If you’re planning a construction project, you may want to consider the many benefits of metal cladding. Not only does it make your building’s exteriors more structurally-sound, but it also gives off a contemporary aesthetic vibe that you won’t find with other materials.

Unlike wood, metal cladding makes your building more durable, fire-resistant, eco-friendly, decorative, and many more. Read on to learn more about the benefits of this type of cladding material.

Better Durability

Metal cladding offers your building better durability, compared to bare structures. For example, if your building’s bare concrete exteriors have not been protected with metal cladding, this can expose the building to various external hazards that take place on a daily basis.

High humidity levels can cause the growth of mold or mildew on your concrete, thus speeding up the level of wear and tear. When exposed to extreme temperature conditions, on the other hand, the concrete will expand, cause internal stresses, and will lead to cracking.

Metal cladding provides protection against these issues, and more. Having various steel sections installed on the outermost layer of your building walls will act as a protective layer against these conditions. Not only will you maintain the concrete structure, but you’ll also make your exteriors last longer without damage.

Fire-Resistant

Steel sections make one of the best cladding materials due to their fire-resistance and non-combustible properties. In the event that a fire emergency occurs in the location or near the vicinity of the building, the steel won’t combust. Meanwhile, if a fire emergency takes place inside the building, the cladding limits the spread of the fire in only a small portion of the area.

Wooden cladding may not be your best option, since it is a highly-flammable material. As such, the better level of protection offered by steel makes it preferable.

In the event that you may have to repair certain portions of your house or building due to fire, steel cladding greatly reduces construction costs and lowers any potential insurance premiums.

Eco-Friendly

Steel is also one of the most eco-friendly construction materials. For one, steel production doesn’t take up too much energy. More importantly, the material is infinitely recyclable without sacrificing its durability. Steel manufacturing plants and steel mills oftentimes repurpose scrap steel and transform them into structural products anew.

Using eco-friendly materials means that you’re doing your part in reducing your carbon footprint on the planet. You’re also using a resource that can be repurposed without losing its original properties.

Manufacturers would simply need to process the material and make sure that it is free from contamination by purifying it. Steel can then be melted again and transformed into billets that can be used to form cladding materials.

Low Maintenance

Metal cladding requires little maintenance compared to wood cladding materials. For the latter, you would have to apply wood finishes every two to three years because they do not last long. Steel, on the other hand, can be coated with a zinc layer to form galvanized steel. This makes your cladding more resistant to corrosion. It also makes the cladding last longer — from 50 years to as much as 170 years.

Using low maintenance materials is cost-efficient in the long run because you don’t need to spend too much on buying coating materials, undertaking repairs, or simply cleaning your cladding. You can put more money in your pocket and focus your efforts on other important matters.

Decorative

One advantage that metal cladding has over other types of cladding is that the former can offer your building a stunning exterior finish that’s fit for any modern structure. Depending on your preferences, your metal cladding can be shiny or can come in a metallic finish that can complement any project geared towards building modernization.

Metal cladding can make building exteriors more aesthetically-pleasing, be it a low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise structure. You also have greater control when it comes to the design of your cladding. You can have steel materials cut into decorative shapes and sizes to transform the overall look of the building.

Improved Insulation

Finally, metal cladding is an excellent choice to improve your building’s thermal or even acoustic insulation properties. This means that the building can maintain a cool temperature during hot weather conditions. Alternatively, metal cladding also prevents excessive heat from escaping, especially under cold weather.

Better insulation means that you can reduce your building’s energy costs. The cladding also acts as a natural source of ventilation, thereby minimizing the need for air conditioning, electric heaters, room heaters, and the like.

Key Takeaway

When you’re designing a building, you should take into consideration the many benefits of metal cladding. They not only improve your building’s exterior appearance — but they also provide better durability, insulation, decorative appeal, and fire-resistant capabilities.

Looking for high-quality metal cladding parts? Regan Industrial’s wide array of products are the best choice. Click here to view more of our products and services. You may also get in touch with us for more inquiries.

6 Benefits of Metal Cladding